Junk Journals

Today, some of the IAA members met at Shaun Sheehan's house! She showed us how to make junk journals. The covers are cardboard. As you can see I used cardboard from Frappuccino packaging (which I had been saving forever - I just KNEW I would use them for something, someday!).

I used various papers and ephemera for my pages. Some members used paper bags, watercolor paper, etc. The possibilities are endless!

We covered the cardboard with packing tape to protect.

Here are my friends Chris and Mike Meador from Coffee Break Designs working hard!

And my friend Bianca's wonderful journal (and her hands!)

We had quite the spread. Thanks so much for hosting and teaching Shaun! It was a blast.

Art To Share

Nothing makes me happier than seeing the products from Retro Cafe' Art Gallery come to life!

I had a few pieces I just had to share! Here are some GORGEOUS charms created by Tammy Akervold of Little Junk Shop using the 3-D Acrylic House Charms. I had NO idea they could look so cute!

And Jean Zoss of Bluebirds Living in the Meadow always comes up with the most amazing and creative ways to use the Shrine Pendant Kits! Isn't she incredible?


I'll also be posting some yummy Design Team work very soon! And keep that art coming, I love to see it! I'm still waiting for some pictures of the chipboard house kits so we can have some contest winners :).

New Chipboard Houses and a Contest!

The BRAND NEW Chipboard House Kits from Coffee Break Designs are HERE!

These are SO cool and so easy to assemble. There are 3 different Kits, and I'm also offering a Combo Kit of all 3 sets at a reduced price! Here they all are:

2 Medium Chipboard Houses Kit

3 Small Chipboard Houses Kit

3 Chipboard Towers Kit

"The Village" Combo Set of All 3 House Kits!


Mike is a true genious because these are SO easy to put together! Each house comes in just four pieces. Just fold the walls up (just one piece that is scored), snap on the two roof pieces, and set in the base. Apply a bit of glue for extra hold and that's it! You can also cut off one of the walls if you want a "doll house" or shadowbox look.

Since I'm just dying to see some of these completed and I don't have the time to do it myself, I'm having a little contest. The first three people to purchase any of the house kits from my store and send me a photo of any completed (altered) house that I can post on my blog will win any THREE digital collage sheets from my store (valued more than what the house kit costs!). Be sure to mention this post when you send me your photos!

I also listed a few other new goodies - you can see them all HERE!

Don't Forget...

.... to enter my birthday giveaway!!! It ends March 6th, on, yep, my birthday!

Background Paper Swap

I created these papers tonight for the Indiana Altered Art Group "background paper" swap tomorrow. Talk about last minute, but I had a blast creating them. It felt good to play with the paint and watercolors!

Hello Dollie Green

A new doll collage sheet is here with two new adorable faces! Both of the new gals reminded me of St. Patrick's Day so much I just had to use them. One has red hair and the other has bright green eyes. This sheet can also be used for Spring or just because :). I left the shamrocks optional except for one image :).

You can get the new sheet HERE in digital

and HERE in print.

I also spruced up Retro Cafe' Art Gallery's Home page for St. Patrick's Day. You can see from the pictures in my last post that I am a bit Irish :).

Haircut

I got my hair cut today! I was hesitant to change my style, but I did it. It's a bit longer in the front and angles in the back. And it's short! But I'm all about low maintenance these days. But isn't if funny how getting a different haircut makes you feel like a different person? What do you think?

BRAND NEW Coffin Casket Shrine Kit!

I'm really excited about the new Coffin Shrine Kits! They were created exclusively for Retro Cafe Art Gallery. I had the idea to create these for the Frozen Charlotte Dolls!

While these can be creepy for Halloween etc. , I wanted a more romantic look. I added rhinestone eyes to my skull stamping and gave it a pink hue by using alcohol inks (Terra Cotta and Pearl). I also used plenty of Ranger crackle paint on the inside.

My other fun idea was to add a HINGE to the side to make the coffin more functional.


I hope you don't think this is too creepy? lol! I just love these for the Charlottes! You could make these into fun ornaments too!
Get your Coffin Shrines HERE!

New Etsy Jewelry

I listed a few fun jewelry pieces HERE on Etsy! Sushi anyone?

OWOH Winners Announced!

The random number generator has spoken!

Search RANDOM.ORG
True Random Number Service
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers: 56 65 18 219
Timestamp: 2009-02-12 17:06:06 UTC


1st Place, #56 for the goodie bag: Lynn Stevens
2nd Place, #65 three digital sheets: Becky Holso

I also decided to draw 2 more winners for one digital collage sheet!

3rd Place, #18 one digital collage sheet: Kelly Snelling
4th Place, #219 one digital collage sheet: Mellisa Merrill

Congrats to all the winners! I'll looking forward to next year already! Be sure to enter my BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY below :)

Sweet Things

First, I wanted to share these SUPER SWEET frozen Charlotte angels created by the talented Sarah Elder. Her work is so soft and lovely. You can find the angel wings here on my site. They are the perfect compliment to antique German dolls! Thanks for letting me share these lovelies Sarah!

I just finished baking these brownies for Chris for Valentine's Day. I remembered he wasn't crazy about "sprinkles" but how could I not use the tiny heart shaped sprinkles I bought today? (which no doubt will end up in resin jewelry later)

So I compromised. I'll eat the sprinkled part :).

30 for 30 Birthday Giveaway!

Remember when you were a kid you brought cupcakes for the others on your birthday? I wanted to do the same thing, but instead I'm bringing 30 things in honor of my 30th birthday on March 6!

To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post! (be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win). The day of my birthday, on March 6th I will use a random number generator to select the lucky winner. The winner will get 30 things: 4 blue cupcake ballerinas, 1 antique bisque sitting doll, 2 vintage bottle caps, 1 soldered fairy pendant, 1 vintage ruler charm, 8 fairy wands, 6 vintage cigar labels, 3 pink Dresden wings, 1 set of mini dice, 1 watch maker tin, 1 frappuccino cap magnet, and 1 crystal chandelier dangle!

Here's to another great year! Thank you to all my dear blog friends for your comments and support. I love you all!

xoxo,

Kristin

THANK YOU Melinda and OWOH!

When I began to participate in One World One Heart I had no idea that it would actually do what it was supposed to do - help people connect - make an impact - help people open their hearts - but that is exactly what happened! I met Melinda Cornish by posting to her blog giveaway. I REALLY wanted a custom portrait of my little dog Zeus, and after entering the giveaway, Melinda contacted me asking if I would be interested in a trade. Of course I jumped at the chance! Here is the GORGEOUS fabric collage/painting she created of my little guy. Her work is incredible and even better in person!

But it didn't stop there... As some of you know I work part time in a nursing home as a therapist. A few days before Melinda contacted me, one of my dear, sweet 87 year old patients had to put her dog Mai Tai to sleep - her best friend for the past 14 years. Not only did she lose her best friend, she is also getting ready to give up her home and move to an assisted living facilty. I wanted to do something for her so badly, but had no idea what. Until Melinda came along and it just clicked! I secretly called my patient's caregiver and had her bring in a photo of Mai Tai. Then Melinda created the most gorgeous fabric portrait! I gave it to my sweet patient today and she just flipped (she is also an artist)! She was so surprised and said she would cherish it forever. Now she can take Mai Tai with her to her new home. Thank you Melinda! You made her so happy and I know it was meant to be! Here is sweet Mai Tai. One World One Heart was definitely the catalyst!

Jackie's Gal

I wanted to share Jackie Baxted's little princess (formally a prince!). Isn't she delightful! I adore the little tu tu! Be sure to stop by and get some doll parts of your own. I'm loving all these gorgeous art samples!

More Wings!

Remember Sarah's gorgeous doll? When I saw her I just had to find some feather wings for the site!

They are not exactly the same, but here they are! Lovely feather angel wings. Great for art dolls!

I also found some cool gold nylon wings that are very versitile!

German Dresden Foil!

For a while I've been searching to find Authentic German Dresden for the site! And it's finally here! I listed 48 different types! Imported from Germany, some of these gorgeous pieces are made from the same molds that have had been used over 100 years ago!

I posted some of my favorite pieces below, but you can see it all HERE! Get it now while everything is in stock :).

More Doll Art to Share and Re-Stock!

It's no secret that I'm crazy about the German dolls! I thought you might like to know that I re-stocked MANY of the dolls including the Less than One Inch Frozen Charlottes that I used to make this ring (but I only have a few!). You can buy the Ring Blank and the TINY Charlottes to make your own ring in my store.

I'm constantly amazed by the creative things artists are doing with the China Doll Heads! Check out these AMAZING pieces by Sandy Michelle! She is known for her Martini Glass Dolls and it's no surprise! They are gorgeous Sandy!

I also wanted to share this LOVELY card created by the talented Sherri Mitchell using the German Doll Heads Collage Sheet. I love it Sherri!

So come on over and get some Antique German doll parts and let us see what you can do! I also listed several more of the ever so popular blonde dolls. You know what they say, blondes have more fun! (not that I belive that says moi the brunette).